Stouffville toddler in critical condition after near-drowning

A toddler was rushed to hospital after police responded to a drowning call Monday afternoon.

A toddler is in critical condition in hospital after a near-drowning incident in Stouffville on Monday.

York Regional Police said they were called around 5:35 p.m. to an address near Tenth Line and Main St.

The residence has a pool that is under construction, and police said the child, a 21-month-old boy, was found in water that had collected in the pool. Both parents were home at the time and are with the child, whose name is not being released.

The child has a pulse and is breathing, but remains in critical condition.

Ashfaq Alhaq, who lives a few doors down from the family of the toddler, said he first arrived on the scene after hearing a commotion. He said that several people had already gathered and a neighbour performed CPR on the child before paramedics arrived.

“The mother was a little hysterical, she was crying a lot, fairly loudly,” he said. “It was shocking. A lot of the ladies, even my wife, she was really upset … I hope everything works out for them.”